Boss Bower looks to be more direct to stop Guiseley getting bogged down

Guiseley manager Mark Bower is considering adopting a more direct style of play following the return of striker Kevin Holsgrove.

The powerful frontman has rejoined the Lions on loan from Halifax for the rest of the season.

Last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Worcester City was their third successive Skrill North loss and Bower is deter-mined that his side don’t become mired in a mid-table position.

Guiseley visit Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday before hosting Gainsbor- ough Trinity on Tuesday, and Bower is likely to forsake the passing game.

He said: “Kevin Holsgrove is a player we know all about. He is a tall striker who did well for us last season and he gives us another option.

“He is strong and powerful with a bit of pace. With conditions as they are we will have to look at being more direct and bypassing the midfield.

“Kevin gives us that option and we may have to look at playing two men upfront from the start of matches.”

Bower added: “It has been disappoint-ing to lose our last three matches and we want to end that sequence. All of the games were played in difficult conditions. It is the wettest weather I can remember in my career.

“Right now the sides who like to play football such as ourselves, Altrincham and Histon are struggling on the muddy pitches.

“It is really difficult for our ball players like Wayne Brooksby and Gavin Rothery when we are playing on such poor surfaces, “The teams that are prospering are those like Worcester who get bodies behind the ball and counter attack.”

The postponement of Tuesday’s home league game with Harrogate Town and Wednesday’s, West Riding County Cup semi-final at Eccleshill United – the tie has been re-arranged for next Wednesday – have added to Guiseley’s woes.